Aging and Exercising
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Primary aging refers to unavoidable changes that emerge due to aging. As one age, specific changes arise, including hair and skin changes, weight and height changes, loss of hearing, and eye disease. However, some of these changes associated with aging can be reduced by avoiding exposure to direct sun, taking nutritious meals, and engaging in daily exercise.
As one age, the skin and hair start to change. For instance, the skin dries, thins, and reduces its elasticity as one age. Due to less growth of cells underneath the skin’s surface, scars and other imperfections become more outstanding. When one becomes more exposed to the sun, these changes are more triggered. Now, one cannot avoid graying hair as aging occurs. Moreover, aging is associated with hair loss all over the body.
In terms of weight and height, older people lose significant size, and research shows that they lose almost an inch from the height they had in their early adulthood. Similarly, older people weigh less than they were in their mid-life. Due to the loss of density by the bones, the weight loss is unavoidable. However, exercising and weight training can help boost bone density (Distefano & Goodpaster, 2018). Muscle loss, which is prevalent in late adulthood, mostly in men, can be avoided by weightlifting, swimming, and participating in cardiovascular exercises. Visual problems usually occur at the age of 65 and above years. However, prescriptive lenses can help correct the problem. Glaucoma, eye cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy, and muscular degeneration are some of the causes of hearing and vision disorders.
Secondary changes result from illness. Regular exercise reduces the chances of chronic diseases. Moreover, exercising reduces deterioration, restoring older people’s functional body capacity (University of California Television (UCTV), 2018). Physical exercise improves the hormonal and metabolic functioning of older adults. Exercising improves cognition and enhances the brain functioning of older people. Besides, it reduces the risk of neurological and cardiovascular diseases—for instance, aerobic activity. Depression and anxiety can be conquered through regular exercise.
References
Distefano, G., & Goodpaster, B. H. (2018). Effects of exercise and aging on skeletal muscle.
Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine, 8(3), a029785.
University of California Television (UCTV). (2018). Inside the Effects of Exercise: From
Cellular to Psychological Benefits [Video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=an6LKlx3JH8